Flashback: Memorable knocks before WC knock-outs

Sehwag at his flamboyant best

Bikash Mohapatra picks five batting performances that defined the opening stage of the World Cup.

Even as the 2011 World Cup nears the business end -- beginning with the opening quarter-final between Pakistan and West Indies in Mirpur on Wednesday, it is time to look back and recall a few performances that defined the opening stage.

Some of players mentioned below will have a chance to improve upon their performances in the knock-out stages, while for a few others the feats mentioned below will be all they have to offer in this edition, what with their respective teams bowing out early.

So let's begin with the best batting efforts that will be etched in our memory for time to come.